ATL

2006

ATL

Critics Consensus

Strong lead performances and catchy musical interludes rescue this coming-of-age story from its formulaic script and uneven direction.

61%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 85

86%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 117,111

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Movie Info

A tightly knit group of working-class Atlanta teens spend their time bonding over hip-hop and roller skating while pondering life after high school in director Chris Robinson's coming-of-age comedy drama that draws inspirations from the real-life childhoods of Dallas Austin and Tionne Watkins. For a kid growing up on the south side of Atlanta, the Cascade roller-skating rink is the place to be seen, and it's the place where the orphaned high school senior Rashad (Tip Harris) and his little brother Ant (Evan Ross) go every weekend to forget their financial troubles, hang with their friends and get their groove on. But outside the rink, the brothers have problems they can't avoid: Ant is being recruited into the posse of charismatic drug dealer Marcus (Outkast's Antwan Andre Patton, aka Big Boi). Meanwhile, Rashad's three best friends -- including the ambitious Esquire (Jackie Long) -- are pulling him in different directions, and his new girlfriend New-New (Lauren London) may not be as "street" as she seems. As Rashad tries to hold on to his little brother, he also comes to the realization that if he's ever going to make something of himself, he's going to have to step out of his skates and into the real world.

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Cast

T.I.
as Rashad Swann
Evan Ross
as Antwone `Ant' Swann
Lauren London
as New New
Mykelti Williamson
as Uncle George
Albert Daniels
as Brooklyn
Jackie Long
as Esquire
Jason Weaver
as Teddy
Keith David
as John Garnett
Big Boi
Lonette McKee
as Priscilla Garnett
Antwan 'Big Boi' Patton
as Marcus
Khadijah
as Veda
Khadijah Haqq
as Veda
Malika
as Star
Malika Haqq
as Star
Greg Andrews
as Jay
Tyree Simmons
as DJ Drama
Monica
as Waffle House Waitress
Brandon Bernard Benton
as Student in Classroom
Adam Boyer
as Bartender
April Clark
as Tondie
Steven R. Ewing
as Fireman
Alvin Lee Fleming
as Skateman
Big Gipp
as Famous Customer
Bart Hansard
as Deputy
Wayne Hardnett
as Bone Crusher
Monique Harris
as Sexy Woman
Tae Heckard
as Tonya
Nick Hudani
as Mr. Sartoni
Marie McAdoo
as Fat Girl
Markice Moore
as Austin
Margo Moorer
as Ms. Jackson
Lauren Leah Mitchell
as Janice Rawlings
Rodrick Mosley
as Drug Customer
Roderick Mosley
as Drug Customer
Zoe Myers
as Preppy Female
Ayesha Ngaujah
as Counter Girl
Jameelah Nuriddin
as Young Girl
Gregory Oliver
as Cascade Security Guard
Vanessa Petrosky
as Holly
Jazze Pha
as DJ
Ashley Ragland
as Teenage Girl
Deon Ramone
as Big Ronnie
Ric Reitz
as Mr. Sapp
Christopher Ray Robinson II
as Ant's Friend
Onira Satterwhite
as Sexy Young Girl
Tasha Smith
as Gayle
Almario Thomas
as Dante
Laparee Young
as Pastor
Jorge Luis Abreu
as Doctor
Jae Blaze
as Thug
Hakiem Ayele
as Skater
Antonio Barfield
as Skater
Safiya Brawner
as Skater
Kelvin Broadnax
as Skater
Kyle Dutcher
as Skater
Dancia Garner
as Skater
Pierpont Geer IV
as Skater
Brandon Gibbs
as Skater
Leslie Howell
as Skater
DeShawn Ingram
as Skater
Paul Antonio Johnson
as Skater
James Jones
as Skater
Toria Morris
as Skater
Lisa Quinones
as Skater
Tony Lance Sailor Jr.
as Skater
Saladin Suluki
as Skater
Virginia Turner
as Skater
Kenya Tyson
as Skater
Douglas B. Wynn
as Skater
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Critic Reviews for ATL

All Critics (85) | Top Critics (32)

  • Too predictable.

    Apr 3, 2006

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic

  • It's something akin to the earlier films of Spike Lee -- She's Gotta Have It and Crooklyn come to mind -- in that the characters are cherished for their human qualities, not for how well they swagger onto the screen.

    Mar 31, 2006 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • Warner Bros.' low-budget stab at capturing an urban niche audience is higher on stylistic dazzle than originality or coherence, making it an unlikely candidate to bust out of the box office ghetto.

    Mar 31, 2006

    Justin Chang

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • For a run-of-the-mill hip-hop drama, ATL has some engaging hooks that set it apart from the predictable formula of urban youth struggling to steer clear of crime and pull themselves up to a better life.

    Mar 31, 2006 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Ted Fry

    Seattle Times
    Top Critic

  • The film's special appeal is that while the boys are poor and black, their stories transcend race and socio-economic matters.

    Mar 31, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Ruthe Stein

    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic

  • Making his feature-film debut, music-video director Chris Robinson expertly choreographs the skating sequences, which are exhilarating fun.

    Mar 31, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4

    Carrie Rickey

    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (85)

Audience Reviews for ATL

  • Feb 18, 2015
    Just watched this and really enjoyed it. Great story of young African-American life, with a great cast to bring it to life. The direction and cinematography also stick out.
    Jarrin R Super Reviewer
  • Nov 15, 2009
    A New American Story The movie was good and it had it's good moments. The story is not that great but decent enough. The acting was so-so from everyone, still entertaining and it pass really quickly. The attitudes, style and environment puts you right on the streets down south and that's why it was good. A tightly knit group of working-class Atlanta teens spend their time bonding over hip-hop and roller skating while pondering life after high school in director Chris Robinson's coming-of-age comedy drama that draws inspirations from the real-life childhoods of Dallas Austin and Tionne Watkins. For a kid growing up on the south side of Atlanta, the Cascade roller-skating rink is the place to be seen, and it's the place where the orphaned high school senior Rashad (Tip Harris) and his little brother Ant (Evan Ross) go every weekend to forget their financial troubles, hang with their friends and get their groove on. But outside the rink, the brothers have problems they can't avoid: Ant is being recruited into the posse of charismatic drug dealer Marcus (Outkast's Antwan Andre Patton, aka Big Boi). Meanwhile, Rashad's three best friends -- including the ambitious Esquire (Jackie Long) -- are pulling him in different directions, and his new girlfriend New-New (Lauren London) may not be as "street" as she seems. As Rashad tries to hold on to his little brother, he also comes to the realization that if he's ever going to make something of himself, he's going to have to step out of his skates and into the real world.
    Manu G Super Reviewer
  • Aug 25, 2008
    it was alright, aint no way that im goin to turn down a rich gurl. this shit is not real
    khalvic b Super Reviewer
  • Apr 29, 2008
    The movie is okay, as it tells the story of life through the eyes of some ATL hood residents. It's entertaining to see the differences between neighborhoods, and follow the life of the people in the movie - but the movie seemed to forget a moral? You can make up your own, but there really was just no major point in it. It started strong, then kept going and going until an end where it ended up just the same as the beginning? Maybe, "Apperciate what you have, it could be all you ever will have". Fun to watch, but obvious loss potential makes you wonder what it could of been.
    Bobby H Super Reviewer
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